Players fought tears as Mark Saunders, who has been given days to live, told them to up their game and remember
how lucky they were to be “living their dream”

A dying football fan inspired his favourite side to victory with a rousing pre-match talk in the dressing room.

Struggling Bristol City
players fought back tears as Mark Saunders, 54, who has been given days to live after fighting lung cancer, told them to step up their game and remember
how lucky they were to be “living their dream”.

The
Ashton Gate talk was a winner. Bristol’s 2-1 home victory over Gillingham lifted Mark’s beloved team out of the Division One relegation
zone.

City manager Steve Cotterill said: “He wanted to have a little chat with the players as he didn’t feel as though he was going to see next Friday out, which puts football into a bit of perspective.

“We were quite choked in the dressing room. What can you say to someone like that?

“He
gave a little speech to the lads and it was more or less his dying wish
that he wanted three points, so what we want to do is dedicate that win
to Mark and his family.

“It was tough to listen to him, it’s quite emotional just thinking about it, but hopefully we gave him a good weekend.”

Bill Saunders, 53, recalled his brother’s words to the under-performing team:
“Mark said ‘I’ve walked past all your flash cars in the car park, I know how much you get paid, you should remember how lucky you are’.”

Mark is dividing his time between a hospice
and the family home in Totterdown, Bristol, he shares with wife Wendy.